9 Reasons the Gabbert to Kaepernick switch makes sense now

Kevin Lynch

Published 4:07 am, Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Photo: Michael Zagaris, Getty Images

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1. Last year, then coach Jim Tomsula was slow to replace an ineffective Kaepernick with Blaine Gabbert. By the time he did so, the season was lost. This season is probably lost also, but at least Chip Kelly is making an attempt to salvage something before the midway point. less

1. Last year, then coach Jim Tomsula was slow to replace an ineffective Kaepernick with Blaine Gabbert. By the time he did so, the season was lost. This season is probably lost also, but at least Chip Kelly is ... more

Photo: Michael Zagaris, Getty Images

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2. No coach is under more scrutiny than Chip Kelly because of his unconventional offense. Receivers have been open this season, many of them for touchdowns. Kelly wants to see if Kaepernick can animate his offense more than Gabbert did. less

2. No coach is under more scrutiny than Chip Kelly because of his unconventional offense. Receivers have been open this season, many of them for touchdowns. Kelly wants to see if Kaepernick can animate his ... more

Photo: Grant Halverson, Getty Images

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3. Gabbert played three games against traditionally tough defenses in St. Louis, Carolina, Seattle and Arizona. Kaepernick will now face an easier slate in the next three games in Buffalo (ranked 15th in defense), Tampa Bay (19th) and New Orleans (31st). less

3. Gabbert played three games against traditionally tough defenses in St. Louis, Carolina, Seattle and Arizona. Kaepernick will now face an easier slate in the next three games in Buffalo (ranked 15th in ... more

Photo: Mike McCarn, Associated Press

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4. Starting Kaepernick on the road in Buffalo allows the controversial quarterback to avoid cat calls and boo’s from his home crowd. He’s likely to face that in upstate New York, but probably not to the same extent. less

4. Starting Kaepernick on the road in Buffalo allows the controversial quarterback to avoid cat calls and boo’s from his home crowd. He’s likely to face that in upstate New York, but probably not to the ... more

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

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5. The frustration level on the offense was getting absurdly high, particularly from wide receiver Torrey Smith. In the locker room, it might have been time to make a change.

5. The frustration level on the offense was getting absurdly high, particularly from wide receiver Torrey Smith. In the locker room, it might have been time to make a change.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

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6. The 49ers, always the top team in the Bay Area media market, were becoming nearly irrelevant. With the Giants in the playoffs and the Warriors starting their new season, the boring and ineffectual 49ers were drawing lower numbers of fans and media to their games. less

6. The 49ers, always the top team in the Bay Area media market, were becoming nearly irrelevant. With the Giants in the playoffs and the Warriors starting their new season, the boring and ineffectual 49ers were ... more

7. To bolster the last point, the Warriors played a preseason game at the Shark Tank last Thursday night, and the most inexpensive ticket was $50. Some of the seats at Levi’s on the same night were going for $20 and Levi’s was only half full. less

7. To bolster the last point, the Warriors played a preseason game at the Shark Tank last Thursday night, and the most inexpensive ticket was $50. Some of the seats at Levi’s on the same night were going for ... more

8. Even at the nadir of his play last year, Kaepernick’s quarterback rating was 78.5. Gabbert’s rating is 69.6 along with near league lows in completion percentage (58 percent) and yards per attempt (5.93).

8. Even at the nadir of his play last year, Kaepernick’s quarterback rating was 78.5. Gabbert’s rating is 69.6 along with near league lows in completion percentage (58 percent) and yards per attempt (5.93).

Photo: Denis Poroy, Associated Press

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9. Kaepernick’s running ability could immediately improve the run game. According to ESPN, Kaepernick kept the ball on zone reads 32 percent of the time to Gabbert’s 19 percent. Also, since 2012, Kaepernick has also averaged 4.54 yards per carry compared to Gabbert’s 3.98. less

9. Kaepernick’s running ability could immediately improve the run game. According to ESPN, Kaepernick kept the ball on zone reads 32 percent of the time to Gabbert’s 19 percent. Also, since 2012, Kaepernick ... more

Photo: Michael Heiman, Getty Images

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9 Reasons the Gabbert to Kaepernick switch makes sense now

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Fans had been asking since week two (if not earlier) why Colin Kaeprnick wasn't starting over Blaine Gabbert. It took the team sinking into a 1-4 hole before Head Coach Chip Kelly finally made the move Thursday.

One theory was that the 49ers were hesitant to start Kapernick due to an injury guarantee tied to his 2017 contract. Kap refused to speculate on that Tuesday, punting that question toward the front office. Contract restructuring talks that could have removed the guarantee have yet to reach an agreement, so we're left to look at other factors behind the moves.

The slideshow above suggests nine other factors that could explain Kaepernick's return under center.

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